The James E. Williams (DDG 95) is the U.S. Navy's 45th Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and was named in honor of Boatswain's Mate 1st Class James E. Williams, one of the Navy's most highly decorated enlisted Sailors, having been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery and leadership in 1966 while serving as patrol boat captain and patrol commander or River Patrol Boat (PBR) 105 on the Mekong River, Republic of Vietnam.

June 28, 2003 The Pre-Commissioning Unit (PCU) James E. Williams was christened during a ceremony at Northrop Grumman Ship Systems Ingalls Operations in Pascagoula, Miss. Mrs. Elaine Weaver Williams served as sponsor of the ship in honor of her husband, James Elliott Williams. Cmdr. Philip W. Vance is the prospective commanding officer.

December 11, 2004 USS James E. Williams was commissioned during a ceremony at Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C.

November 17, 2005 The guided-missile destroyer is currently underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting routine operations, with the USS Wasp (LHD 1) ESG, in preparation for the upcoming deployment later next year.

May 2, USS James E. Williams departed homeport for its maiden deployment as part of the Global War on Terrorism Surface Strike Group (GWOT SSG) 06-2.

October 17, The James E. Williams returned to Naval Station Norfolk after completing a five-and-a-half month underway period. The ship was part of the Maritime Security Operations Surge 06-2, working specifically in anti-piracy and maritime interception operations off the Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden.

July 9, USS James E. Williams departed Norfolk for a scheduled deployment, with the USS Enterprise (CVN 65) Carrier Strike Group, in support of the global war on terrorism.

October 30, DDG 95 provided the medical assistance to North Korean cargo vessel Dai Hong Dan, off the coast of Somalia, after fighting with the pirates who had taken over their ship sometime Monday. Three seriously injured crew members have been transferred to the Williams for treatment. Initial reports from the crew are that five pirates were captured and two are dead. The pirates remain aboard the Dai Hong Dan.

December 19, USS James E. Williams returned to homeport after a five-month underway period.

June 9, 2008 The James E. Williams pulled into Naval Station Newport, R.I., for a port visit.

October 19, USS James E. Williams returned to Norfolk after a six-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet Areas of Responsibility (AoR).

December 4, The CO Cmdr. Paul Marquis and Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Timothy Youell were relieved of command today after numerous cases of fraternization among the crew and allegations of sexual assault. Both were reassigned to administrative duty by Capt. Robert C. Barwis, the commander of Destroyer Squadron 26. The actions come in the wake of nine fraternization cases between senior and junior enlisted personnel on the USS James E. Williams in November. Cmdr. Anthony J. Linardi, III assumed temporary command of the ship.

May 26, 2010 The James E. Williams arrived in New York City, N.Y., to participate in the 23rd Fleet Week.

April 10, 2011 DDG 95 is currently underway for a training exercise with the USS Bataan (LHD 5) ARG.

June 27, USS James E. Williams, commanded by Cmdr. Christopher M. Senenko, along with HMS Dauntless (D33), FS Ventose (F733) and RFS Admiral Chabanenko, departed Naval Station Norfolk to participate in the at-sea phase of multinational exercise FRUKUS 2011, off the coast of Virginia.

December 15, The guided-missile destroyer returned to homeport after a 10-day underway period.

February 14, 2014 The James E. Williams is currently underway for a two-week Independent Deployer Certification Exercise (IDCERTEX).

March 28, USS James E. Williams anchored off the coast of Greenock, Scotland, for a two-day port call to Faslane before participating in at-sea phase of a multinational exercise Joint Warrior 14-1, from March 30- April 10.

April 12, The James E. Willams recently arrived in Bergen, Norway, for a scheduled port visit in conjunction with the 200th Anniversary of the Royal Norwegian Navy; Returned home on April 2?.

May 30, USS James E. Williams departed Norfolk for a scheduled independent deployment in support of Operation Ocean Shield.

June 9, The guided-missile destroyer pulled into Naval Station Rota, Spain, for a routine port call. Participated in a bilateral underway engagement with the Tunisian Navy’s Patrol Ship La Galite (P501) and an Archangel-class patrol boat on June 14.

June 19, Seaman Yeshabel Villot-Carrasco died after taking a toxic dosage of sleeping pills aboard the James E. Williams, while the ship was underway in the Red Sea.

June 24, USS James E. Williams pulled into Djibouti, Djibouti, for inchop brief and turnover with the USS Nitze (DDG 94).

September 16, Cmdr. Curtis Calloway was relieved of his duty as CO of DDG 95, pending the completion of a Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 2 command-directed investigation into the command climate aboard the ship. Capt. Anthony L. Simmons assumed temporary command of the USS James E. Williams.

September 29, USS James E. Williams moored at Cruise Jetty in Port Louis, Mauritius, for a week-long port visit.

November 14, USS James E. Williams, commanded by Cmdr. Heidi D. Haskins, moored again at Mahe Quay in Port Victoria, Seychelles, for a week-long port visit.

December 23, The James E. Williams moored in Port of Civitavecchia, Italy, for a five-day liberty visit to Rome; Transited the Strait of Gibraltar on Dec. 30.

January 10, 2015 USS James E. Williams returned to homeport after more than a seven-month deployment in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet AoR.